Shabana Shaikh Abdul Ajij Shaikh (Dhobi) v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1052 OF 2026 Shabana Shaikh Abdul Ajij Shaikh (Dhobi) ....Applicant

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra ....Respondent ____________________________________________________________ Mr.Kuldeep U. Nikam a/w Mr.Om N. Latpate and Mr.Samadhan Ghumare, for the Applicant.

Mr.S.R. Agarkar, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.N.M. Bagul, ASI, Deolali Camp Police Station, Nashik. ____________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 17th APRIL 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.93 of 2025 registered with Deolali Camp Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 2nd September 2025, the Applicant strangulated her old mother-in-law on account of quarrel and murdered her.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the prosecution case is based on the circumstantial evidence. The incident occurred out of sudden quarrel. There is no evidence to show involvement

of the Applicant in the crime. The Applicant is behind bars for around seven months. The investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed, and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that initially the death of the deceased was shown as accidental death. In postmortem report, it is revealed that deceased was strangulated. At the time of incident, the Applicant was present in the house with deceased. If the Applicant released on bail, she may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

6.

The prosecution case is based on the circumstantial evidence. To prove case against the Applicant evidence is required. The Applicant is lady. She is behind bars for more than seven months. The investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed.

7.

In view of above, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.93 of 2025 registered with Deolali Camp Police Station, Nashik, on

furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)